In the Beginning

As with most trips these days this one started with an invite to "work" at the World Youth Championships in Opatija, Croatia. They said that Opatija is the Monte Carlo of Coratia - let you know later.

Got to the airport and checked in smoothly and lounge for the thirty minute delay for the first flight to Hong Kong. Only slept for two hours but a lot more flying ahead of me to catch up. Nine hours in Hong Kong so I went to the Citigate Shopping Centre five minutes from the airport and mooched around buying nothing, nada, niente despite the centre having every possible major brand there at 30%-70% off, Back to the airport for a shower before the onward flight to Rome where I did manage to get 7 hours sleep.

Arrived in Rome 7:00am and the hotel got me a room by 10:15. While waiting i looked for some breakfast and Roman breakfast is very unlike Sydney. Basically coffee, pastries and sandwiches. No such thing as eggs, cereals etc. Anyway had a lovely Foccacia and small salad. Back to the room for shower and hit the streets in my shorts and polo - very overdressed for the - wait for it - 41 degrees. What to do in this weather, I decided a hop on hop off bus with much staying on would be good. Did the circuit with just two stops for drinks and lots of refreshments.

Not sure what it is, but what seemed awesomely magnificent (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps etc.) today seem nice, beautiful and interesting but not as awesome as they did the first time around (1983). I guess that is a combination of the world being a smaller place and the internet and TV bringing it all, and so much more to compare it with, into our homes. 

Overall though Rome is small and for me anyway, lacks some charm. It is not particularly well maintained or looked after and it looks somewhat tired. Anyway I will enjoy my teo days here as I calculated that I hadn't spent any time here in 32 years.

Back to the hotel for what I thought would be a short nap but which turned into a 15 hour sleep.

Down to the lobby to wait for the guide. Casually check phone to see message "on way to your hotel had an accident with two cars am OK waiting for police. Not messing with you so here is a pic". So I will be my own guide today.

It's coolish but forecast to touch late 30's today so I decide on visiting the Colisseum first thing spending more than hour learning about this awesome structure. It's still hard to comprehend how they managed to build a structure like this with no real tools.

A quick cab drive to the Vatican where I tke a tour of St Peter's Square, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel and then a self-tour of St Peter's Basilica. I was at the Vatican 32 years ago but never did a tour of the inside and this was extremely interesting. The size and grandeur of the Vatican is on a scale difficult to imagine.

I look around for a good meal and settle on the Michelin one star Pipero near the Opera House. Not disappointed with an amazing meal comprising a six course surprise degustation accompanied with numerous amuse bouches which I simply cannot describe. The 22 seat restaurant with the owner flitting from table to table ensuring that everybody was enjoying the amazing dishes that were coming out of the kitchen. If in Rome give it a go.

Got back to the hotel around 10:30 and slept amazingly well.

Next morning packed and taxi to the station to catch the train from Rome Termini to Cittavechia, the port city of Rome some 90 minutes by train. I arrive very early for boarding (11:30) which was very very lucky as the electricity failed not long thereafter totally disrupting the boarding procedure of the 3200 guests.

I spend the next few hours exploring the ship which is quite unbelievable. A lot of aspects are the same from ship to ship but this one (Celebrity Equinox) has an extensive grass deck for concerts and other activities, a Corning Glass Museum where they have daily glass blowing displays complete with kilns, burners etc (more later) and more lounges and bars than I can possibly remember.

Before boarding I booked a three meal specialty dining package of which one has to be used the first night. I watch the beginning of the Italian Tenor show (ordinary) and head to the Murano Restaurant for what would turn out to be an amazingly great meal. Lobster Bisque, Mushroom Cappuccino, Goat Cheese Souffle, Lobster cooked tableside topped off with a dessert sampler. The waiter was interesting, Serbian who aspires to owning his own restaurant, he earns four times more on-board than he would earn in Serbia.

The ethnicity of the crew is very diverse but for the most part are Eastern European. Unlike my previous cruise (MSC Italian) the crew here are exceptionally friendly and welcoming something that I am sure will make the cruise more enjoyable. One downside however, is that a bonus for this cruise was an unlimited drinks package – certainly no loss for them.

Next morning and AGAIN up early to catch the 90 minute train ride from Livorno, the port city serving Florence into the centre of Florence where I meet Monica, a tour guide (who did turn up) I had arranged for the visit. I have visited Florence twice before but never learned as much as I should have, so I decided to rectify that this trip.

She took me to the first church (of course) then to the Duomo explaining the history with every step we took – exceptionally interesting. Toured the Baptistry which was very interesting but, being Sunday we could not enter the Church proper (Duomo). Around to the Vecchio Palace, Ponte Vecchio and surrounds. Lunch at a lovely Italian Eatery followed by a highlight tour of the Uffizi Gallery. I recall Florence as being much more quaint and beautiful thirty years ago rather than the commercialised place that it seems to be now.

Anyway, after almost six hours we part company leaving me an hour to explore the shops before the train back to the ship. Dinner in the main dining room where I try and engage with the adjoining English people who didn’t seem the least bit interested in doing that – oh well their loss.

We have been advised that, due to a weather system in Nice we will be going to Ajaccio Corsica first and then Nice rather than the scheduled Nice first. Was meeting a friend for breakfast so have changed that 

I head off to the top deck to watch the glass blowing show which was fascinating seeing nothing turned into a beautiful bowl and vase and how it is done have always been fascinated by beautiful glass pieces.

A small donation to the Casino and back to the cabin.

Next morning Ajaccio on Corsica. I get off the ship and take a one hour bus tour of the city where I learn about some of the history of the city – think Napoleon – but fundamentally a pleasant but not outstanding Mediterranean town.